Explore every episode of the podcast The CraftSanity Podcast

This Saturday, April 18, the CraftSanity team will be among the hundreds of comics and zine fans who are expected to swarm a concert venue in Lansing, Michigan, for the second Lansing Independent Comics and Zine Fest (LICZ!). https://www.liczfest.com/

The show attracted more than 600 people in its inaugural year, and the one-man band LICZ! organizer and art enabler, Jimmy “Soup” Coyer, is cautiously optimistic that even more people will turn out this year - especially given the show’s new rented digs – Lansing’s Grewal Hall. (The show is scheduled from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 224 S. Washington Square. Abby and Jennifer will be vending in booth 19!!)

We’re glad Jimmy took the week before LICZ! off from his day job so he could pencil in an 8 a.m. CraftSanity Podcast interview with us to discuss Ultra Mega https://www.instagram.com/ultramega.studio/, the community print shop he operates out of his living room, and reveal what it takes to launch a comics and zine fest.

Even if you’re too far away to make the trek to LICZ! Fest this weekend, we hope you’ll tune in for our chat with Jimmy. His enthusiasm for making art tools accessible to everyone is contagious, and we’re here for it!

Instagram links for all three of us:

Jimmy: https://www.instagram.com/ultramega.studio

Abby: https://www.instagram.com/dipper.draws/

Jennifer: https://www.instagram.com/craftsanity

Rhiannan Sibbald, a Grand Rapids based illustrator and muralist, shares how she got her start, how to break into public art, mural tips, and how to get paid for your work!

Zines! Zines! Zines!
You can read a free zine of Rhiannan’s advice here https://craftsanity.com/rhiannan-sibbald/, or order a physical copy https://craftsanityshop.com/products/dear-art-student-zines.

Keep up with Rhiannan!
Check out Rhiannan’s website https://www.rhiannansibbald.com/

And Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rhiannansibbald/

This week Jennifer and Abby are bringing you an interview with Sean Dempsey! Sean is a self-published comic artist and illustrator who travels all over the Midwest for indie comic and small press shows. Sean shares some tabling tips, how he balances illustration with a non-art job, and how to stay structured outside of art school.

Zines! Zines! Zines!

You can read a free zine of Sean’s advice here https://craftsanity.com/sean-dempsey, or order a physical copy. https://craftsanityshop.com/products/dear-a…t-student-zines

Keep up with Sean!

Check out Sean’s:

Website https://www.smdempseycomics.com/portfolio/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smdempseycomics/

You can also sign up for the new CraftSanity newsletter: https://jenniferackermanhaywood.substack.com/?r=22e04h&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist

This week Jennifer and her daughter Abby are bringing you an interview with Julia Kaye, a cartoonist and storyboard artist. Julia is a published comic artist with two graphic novels. She is known for her “UP and OUT” gag webcomic and her autobiographical comics about life as a trans woman, “Super Late Bloomer” and its sequel “My Life In Transition.” Julia also worked as a storyboard revisionist on “Big City Greens” and as a storyboard artist on “Jellystone!”

Julia shares how she filled in the gaps of her art school education, how webcomics got her a job at Disney, and her self-promotion tips!

Zines! Zines! Zines!

You can read a free zine of Julia’s advice here https://craftsanity.com/julia-kaye/, or order a physical copy. https://craftsanityshop.com/products/dear-art-student-zines

Keep up with Julia!

Website https://www.juliakaye.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upandoutcomic/#

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/upandoutcomic.bsky.social

Super Late Bloomer https://a.co/d/fQDkAYX

My Life In Transition! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1524860468?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_RCAHC50FCNJ2RK8FWYKZ&bestFormat=true

Get involved!

Have some advice for fellow artists you want to share? Send a short voice recording to abby@craftsanity.com and we might play it in a future episode!

This week Jennifer and her daughter Abby are bringing you an interview with Connie Jin, an interactive developer/designer, comics journalist, and illustrator. Connie is working on a graphic novel and is a graphics reporter at National Public Radio! They share their journey with art, how to balance the creative workloads of a day job and a passion project, getting out of a creative slump, and mental health tips for creatives!

Zines! Zines! Zines!

You can read a free zine of Connie’s advice here: https://craftsanity.com/connie-jin/

Or order a physical copy: https://craftsanityshop.com/products/dear-art-student-zines

Keep up with Connie!

Check out Connie's work...

for NPR: https://www.npr.org/people/776502220/connie-hanzhang-jin

website: https://connjin.github.io/

and Twitter: https://x.com/connjie

(This comic for NPR might be particularly helpful to check out if you’re feeling stressed! https://www.npr.org/2024/10/16/g-s1-27725/comic-science-backed-mood-boosters-to-almost-instantly-snap-you-out-of-a-funk)

Get involved!

Have some advice for fellow artists you want to share? Send a short voice recording to abby@craftsanity.com and we might play it in a future episode!

Jennifer and her daughter Abby interview Genice Chan! Genice is a freelance visual development artist and illustrator known for her concept art for the Netflix anime series “Brand New Animal.” She shares her journey from school, to studio work, to freelancing, and some tips about managing the grind and making sure you get paid.

Zines! Zines! Zines!

You can read a free zine of Genice’s advice here, or order a physical copy.

Keep up with Genice!

Check out Genice's website, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr!

Get involved!

Have some advice for fellow artists, or a question you want to share? Send a short voice recording to abby@craftsanity.com and we might play it in a future episode!

On this episode of the CraftSanity podcast Jennifer and her daughter Abby interview David Huang, a metalsmith who makes vessels and jewelry and has a unique approach to financing a studio art career. Abby was introduced to David’s work when her college professor gave her some of his articles about making money as an artist. Listen to David’s story and advice for emerging artists!

Zines! Zines! Zines!

You can read a free zine of David’s advice here, or order a physical copy.

Keep up with David!

Check out David’s website, Instagram, blog, and articles about the business side of art.

You can also check out David's article about making art that connects here!

Get involved!

Have some advice for fellow artists, or a question you want to share? Send a short voice recording to abby@craftsanity.com and we might play it in a future episode!

Lou Tsui is an illustrator, designer, and the artist in residence at CopyCat Studio, a risograph and artist retail space they opened in 2024. They are based in Vancouver, B.C. and have a cat baby named Tongyuen. Abby met Lou last year when Lou came to Grand Valley State University to lead a zine-making workshop. Listen to Lou’s story and advice for emerging artists! 

You can read a free zine of Lou’s advice here: https://craftsanity.com/dearartstudents/ 

Or order a physical copy here: https://craftsanityshop.com/products/dear-art-student-zines 

Keep up with Lou!

https://www.instagram.com/louscribbles/ 

https://www.louscribbles.com/ 

Check out CopyCat Studio!

https://www.instagram.com/copycat_riso/ 

https://www.copycatriso.com/ 

4000 Number 3 Rd, Unit 2045, Richmond, British Columbia

Coming soon: Series of podcasts interviews with artists giving advice to art students.

In honor of Juneteenth, the day that celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S., I’m posting my conversation with Dano Wall, the artist who created the Tubman Stamp that allows the likeness of American hero, Harriet Tubman, to be printed on the $20 bill.

Artist and activist Diana Weymar discusses how was one of many artists who took note of President Trump’s “stable genius” pronouncement and got inspired to create a stitching project that has includes many others.

Making a living as a professional artist can be tricky with the cost of art school on the rise and lucrative art jobs hard to find. Despite this challenging backdrop, Dayna Walton, a 21-year-old Grand Rapids artist has set herself up well to hit the ground running after she graduates from Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art & Design this spring.

Liz Hilton discusses her 3D knit products she makes at her KNITit studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com

Learn how Beryl Bartkus created meaningful work for her daughter, Erin, and others with developmental disabilities.

Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com

On this episode of the podcast I geek out about wood type and paper and ink with letterpress printmaker Amos Kennedy, owner and chief printer at Kennedy Prints in Detroit.

Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com

Interview with Lori Evesque, owner of Natural Cycles Farm in southern Allegan County, discussing raising fresh food, fiber and plants to sell at local farmers markets and her yarn dyeing workshops.

Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com

Interview with 22-year-old Martin Schneider, an art student in Cologne, Germany who designed a 3-D printed printing press and shared his design files for free online. Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com

Interview with Mark Newport, known for his hand embroidered comic book covers and knitted superhero costumes.

Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com

Interview with Katrina Rodabaugh, fiber artist and author of the forthcoming book, “Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More.” Rodabaugh is one of the zen stitchers on the front lines of this important and gentle movement that bucks the trend of overconsumption and throw-away fashion.

Check out the show notes at craftsanity.com

Mike and Terry McGarr discuss Mike's plan to revive a bit of family weaving history. The 27-year-old is the great-grandson of Wallace and Melvina McGarr, who were owners of the Norwood Loom Co. for more than 40 years beginning in 1951.

Check out the show notes at CraftSanity.com

Felicia Lo Wong shares the story of how she built her SweetGeorgia yarn business.

Practicing psychologist and crochet designer Sandra Eng recognizes discusses her new book “Crochet Kaleidoscope: Shifting Shapes and Shades Across 100 Motifs,” and the role handcrafts can play as a means of coping with stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Interview with Josie Gamper, who sells her own brand of popular watercolors under the name RedwoodWillow. Josie shares the story of how she built her business as a side gig and now operates it full-time from the living room of her Connecticut home.

We go behind the scenes of the fascinating art career of Drew Sheneman, a nationally syndicated political cartoonist who started writing and illustrating children’s picture books a couple years ago.

Bethany Nixon, owner of Reware Vintage and co-organizer of the upcoming Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF), discuses last-minute tips for handmade business owners who are vending this holiday season and talk about what it takes to produce a large-scale craft fair like DUCF which is celebrating its 12th year.

The Detroit Urban Craft Fair is at the Masonic Temple Dec. 1-3.

Check out more at craftsanity.com

Interview with Gloria Kirk-Hann, who takes us behind the scenes of her 2017 ArtPrize entry “Fragments of Old Bones; New Soul” a fiber art installation that is a visual manifestation of her artistic journey through divorce, loss and grief and finding love again.

Check out more at craftsanity.com

Interview with Patricia Constantine, who entered a piece titled “Sineater” in the 2017 ArtPrize competition that makes a bold statement about American politics and education.

Melodee Jackson discusses the creation of her intricate ArtPrize 2017 work, “Early January on the Pearl Street Bridge.”

Some artists make art to entertain and amuse, while activist artists like Ti-Rock Moore and Keyon Lovett make art to challenge and raise awareness about injustices in society. Both artists discuss their ArtPrize entries inspired by the continuing Flint water crisis.

Self-taught West Michigan abstract painter Mary-Catheryn Baker discusses her life and her entry into ArtPrize 2017.

Interview with Jeana Eve Klein, about her surprising path to ArtPrize 2017 in Grand Rapids.

Angela Smith, owner of Houston, Texas-based tool and supply business Purl & Loop discusses the unexpected turn of events that led to her start business.

Interview with Marlee Cook-Parrott, who used the Instagram app to promote her business and amassed a strong following quickly.

Interview with artist Emily Wohlscheid, owner of Bricolage Studios.

Heidi Fahrenbacher discusses creating the whimsical Bella Joy Pottery line in a former veterinary clinic-turned-clay studio just outside of Plainwell, Michigan.

Alessandra Hayden shares the story behind her impressive new book, “Modern Tapestry Crochet: Techniques, Projects, Adventure.”

Today is Donald Trump's 100th day in office. One of my secret weapons to cope with this seemingly alternate reality has been to follow the.daily.don feed on Instagram, featuring the satirical artwork of Jesse Duquette.

With studio space in New York and a home base in Australia, Maryanne Moodie has quickly become a household name among weaving enthusiasts around the globe. But many may be surprised to realize that the Australian artist who recently published On The Loom: A Modern Weaver’s Guide ($27.50, 144 pages) stumbled across her first loom only about five years ago.

On this episode of the podcast we go behind the scenes of Barrett Wool Co., the new yarn business that Susan B. Anderson launched with her son, Evan Anderson.

When thousands of protesters gather for the Women’s March On Washington January 21, 2017 the day after Trump takes the helm of our nation, there will be a sea of pink that just might inspire the former host of “Celebrity Apprentice” to once again regret speaking so freely while on wearing a hot mic.

Jane LaFazio is a watercolor and mixed media artist, art quilter and all-around creative force with a passion for travel and teaching others how to draw and paint. However, with a background in graphic design and technical illustration, this is not the combination of work LaFazio thought she would ever pursue full time.

Stacey Trock discusses how she went from grad school to launching her own crochet business, freshstitches.com and community Ami Club.

Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes discuss their long distance friendship, collaboration and their new book “A Year Between Friends 3191 Miles Apart: Crafts, Recipes, Letters, and Stories” (208 pages, $24.95).

Stacie Tamaki discusses what got her started folding tiny and what lead her to downsize her life and relocate to Michigan, where she is building her dream art studio.

Interview with Kathy Nida, the artist behind a quilt recently removed from a recent American Quilter's Society show in Grand Rapids for after a complaint that doesn't seem to add up.

Korey Schnell discusses his illustrations drawn from Craigslist "Missed Connections"

On this episode, blogger, knitting pattern designer and author Wendy Bernard talks about her creative roots, social media and her new book, “The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary: 150 New Stitch Patterns to Knit Top Down, Bottom Up, Back and Forth and in the Round.”

On this episode of CraftSanity, we're going sheep to skein to unravel the story of how wool from a West Michigan flock is being spun into a lovely, new independent yarn line called Welcome Home.

Creativebug CEO Ursula Morgan talks about how she shifted careers from magazine publishing to lead the charge to make the business profitable by the end of 2016.